Discover the impact of Habitat for Humanity Canada
Behind every home we build and every family we partner with, there is a story of hope, resilience, and community.
Read about families whose lives were changed through affordable homeownership, volunteers who found purpose in contributing to our work, and sustainability efforts that are shaping the future of housing.
These inspiring stories showcase the profound difference made by volunteers, donors, and partner families across the country and beyond.
International Build
Stepping through the doorway of Võ Minh Trung’s house, volunteer Janet Joy Wilson immediately knew it was unlike any family home she’d ever toured.
For the fourth year in a row, Habitat Canada’s Terry Petkau was hand-picked by President Jimmy Carter to be his House Leader on Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
In partnership with cbm Canada, Habitat is building and renovating accessible homes for 60 families living with disabilities in Malawi, one of the smallest and least developed countries in the world.
In Ethiopia, the Fitche Integrated Vulnerable Group Housing project is creating healthier communities by building accessible homes for families living with disabilities.
Copy The Building Young Neighbours for Peace project in El Salvador brough together 600 vulnerable youth to volunteer and help build six Habitat homes.
The Building It Together with Families project is helping 36 families through innovative, pre-fabricated homes that are built at a lower cost and more accessible for low-income families.
The Empowering Families of People with Disabilities Project is a three-year Habitat for Humanity project helping families like Lucy and Enifa access decent and affordable housing.
The Seed Houses for Families of Women Entrepreneurs project is supporting women who work from home to support their families in safer and healthier housing as they develop their businesses.
Indigenous Partnerships
Led by community members, Habitat provides critical repairs in Eabametoong First Nation
Habitat Canada supporter and Global Village team leader shared his experience leading a team of volunteers to build as part of the Indigenous Housing Partnership.
A housing partnership between the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, Habitat Grey Bruce and CMHC is so successful it promises to serve as a model for other interested Indigenous communities.
The year 2019 will always be a special one for two families in the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte community. Amy and April moved into their new Habitat homes.
Participating on Habitat builds provides Indigenous students of all ages and backgrounds with skills, confidence and work experience that they can apply towards future employment or education.
In 2012, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations partnered with Habitat for Humanity Yukon to make affordable homeownership possible for three low-income First Nations families through a triplex project.
In 2016, Tobique First Nation partnered with Habitat for Humanity Fredericton to build a Habitat home for a family in need of housing. Two more Habitat homes have been built since then.
Six families have moved into Habitat homes, thanks to partnerships between Duck Lake, the Willow Cree Healing Lodge, The Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation, and Habitat for Humanity Prince Albert.
In Pikangikum, a remote fly-in Ojibwe community in northern Ontario, just 109 of the 500 homes in Pikangikum even have a tap – the rest must collect water in buckets. Here's how Habitat is helping.
Homeownership
After renting had left few options, Kaitlyn and Nelson lost hope about owning a home — until they discovered Habitat.
Read about our first home build in Winkler, Manitoba!
Juggling multiple jobs while going to school, Anita worked hard to provide for her son. Finding a decent, affordable home proved challenging.
Jennifer dreamed of living and raising her family in Dettah, Northwest Territories, the First Nation where she grew up, but a lack of available housing put those dreams on hold.
Twenty-one-year-old Samar has a passion for learning. When she was 12, she moved into a Habitat home, a catalyst that allowed Samar to dream about her future, including her education.
Colin’s passion for building houses and helping neighbours was sparked through a lifetime of connection to Habitat for Humanity.
Despite having a good job, Mavis, a single mom, struggled to find affordable housing for her family. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity means Mavis was able to buy her own Habitat home.
For Chelsey and Owen, finding out they would be Habitat homeowners has felt like winning the lottery.
Travis and Jordan wanted a home of their own, but couldn’t afford a down payment. A friend who volunteered for Habitat suggested they apply for Habitat Okanagan’s affordable homeownership program.
Corporate Partner
When it comes to supporting Habitat for Humanity Canada, the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) has it down to a science.
When Aaron Rathbone was a kid, he enjoyed putting together LEGO sets. Today, he gets to build real houses thanks to his employer’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada.
A housing partnership between the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, Habitat Grey Bruce and CMHC is so successful it promises to serve as a model for other interested Indigenous communities.
Team Building
When it comes to supporting Habitat for Humanity Canada, the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) has it down to a science.
Habitat ReStore
Local Habitats have vastly altered their operations for the safety of staff and volunteers. But that hasn’t stopped local Habitats from doing what they do best – giving back to the community.
Earlier in March, Habitat Waterloo Region shut down build site operations and their ReStore. That's when their CEO suggested they try to repurpose their ReStore truck to help out in the community.
Local Build
On May 14, Habitat for Humanity Canada held its virtual annual general meeting, which included celebrating the achievements of local Habitats during its national award announcements.
Habitat Canada supporter and Global Village team leader shared his experience leading a team of volunteers to build as part of the Indigenous Housing Partnership.
Our national awards were announced during our virtual annual general meeting on May 22. Local Habitats won for optimizing operations, collaborating and partnering with others and innovative building.
Local Habitats have vastly altered their operations for the safety of staff and volunteers. But that hasn’t stopped local Habitats from doing what they do best – giving back to the community.
Earlier in March, Habitat Waterloo Region shut down build site operations and their ReStore. That's when their CEO suggested they try to repurpose their ReStore truck to help out in the community.
During their home dedication, new Habitat homeowner Zakk surprised his girlfriend Ashley with a proposal.
Brianne’s son Brayden was born with a rare genetic disorder. As he grew, Brianne realized caring for him in their rented four-level back split would become increasingly difficult and dangerous.
A housing partnership between the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, Habitat Grey Bruce and CMHC is so successful it promises to serve as a model for other interested Indigenous communities.
The year 2019 will always be a special one for two families in the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte community. Amy and April moved into their new Habitat homes.
Volunteers
Volunteering Weaves Us Together. A single strand of thread is pretty and functional – but when you weave many threads together, you create a something unique that is colourful, vibrant and strong!
It’s National Volunteer Week and this year’s theme, Volunteering Is Empathy In Action, affirms the strong connection between volunteerism and empathy, which our volunteers have in spades!
We are grateful for the opportunity to highlight the efforts of some of the thousands of volunteers who make our work possible.
Habitat Canada supporter and Global Village team leader shared his experience leading a team of volunteers to build as part of the Indigenous Housing Partnership.
Ensuring the health and safety of their volunteers meant temporarily ceasing many volunteer activities. But many of their volunteers, and staff, were eager to help in other ways.
It’s National Volunteer Week! Congratulations to each and every volunteer for your dedication and commitment to Habitat for Humanity’s work across Canada.
Stepping through the doorway of Võ Minh Trung’s house, volunteer Janet Joy Wilson immediately knew it was unlike any family home she’d ever toured.
Stephen has volunteered over 640 hours helping build his daughter's Habitat home, and others, on a planned 19-lot development on Neyaashiinigmiing Aboriginal Reserve.
Domestic Build
HGTV star and Habitat supporter Scott McGillivray reflects on his experience volunteering for Habitat's 2017 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
International Program
Habitat Haiti’s 100% Women project, funded in part by Habitat Canada, helps women build communities
Christian, his wife Claudia and their four-year-old son Zedd are a strong and resilient family. They have worked hard to provide love, stability and a safe place to build a future for Zedd.
Magdalena, her husband, their six children and two daughter-in-laws are the proud owners of a new Habitat home in the community of Tzanchaj, Santiago Atitlán, Sololá.
Like Maria and her three children Eddy, Nicolas and little Rosario. Maria is a single mother in Guatemala who works as an artisan to support her family.
Habitat for Humanity Canada, Canerector Foundation and Habitat for Humanity Vietnam have partnered to fund WASH Solutions in Van Lang, Vietnam
In Vietnam, more than 30 Global Village builds were cancelled due to the pandemic, and as a result, 21 families from seven project sites were unable to complete the construction of their homes.
Global Village is Habitat Canada’s short-term international volunteer program, which sees thousands of volunteers build with Habitat across Canada and around the world.
Stepping through the doorway of Võ Minh Trung’s house, volunteer Janet Joy Wilson immediately knew it was unlike any family home she’d ever toured.
In addition to rebuilding homes and community development and training projects, Habitat Canada is supporting Habitat Haiti’s water, sanitation and hygiene project (WASH)
Every Youth Initiative
All stories
Led by community members, Habitat provides critical repairs in Eabametoong First Nation
After renting had left few options, Kaitlyn and Nelson lost hope about owning a home — until they discovered Habitat.
Read about our first home build in Winkler, Manitoba!
Juggling multiple jobs while going to school, Anita worked hard to provide for her son. Finding a decent, affordable home proved challenging.
Habitat Haiti’s 100% Women project, funded in part by Habitat Canada, helps women build communities
Jennifer dreamed of living and raising her family in Dettah, Northwest Territories, the First Nation where she grew up, but a lack of available housing put those dreams on hold.
Twenty-one-year-old Samar has a passion for learning. When she was 12, she moved into a Habitat home, a catalyst that allowed Samar to dream about her future, including her education.
Reducing our carbon footprint and increasing affordability go hand in hand